SHU vs. Drew University

Comparable Facts

Compare Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT with Drew University in Madison, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sacred Heart University is larger than Drew University based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 2,232 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Drew University is in Madison, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drew University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Drew University 11:1.

SHU vs. Drew University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Drew University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Drew University than SHU ($28,425 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drew University are 7.8% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($17,640 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drew University (about $3,304 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $47,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at SHU than at Drew University (about $3,304 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $47,100.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Drew University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drew University students is 70.2% larger than aid received by Sacred Heart University students ($36,807 vs. $21,625).

SHU vs. Drew University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHU or Drew University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Drew University and SHU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDrew University 1103/1338.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDrew University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Drew University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Drew University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Drew University (3.1).
• Drew University has a higher acceptance rate (67.8%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 10.7% at Drew University.

SHU vs. Drew University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Drew University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at SHU is the same as at Drew University (68% vs. 68%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Drew University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sacred Heart University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Drew University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SHU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drew University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drew University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.